The estimated completion time of a backup, restore or DBCC command is one query away. This post builds a monitor query on sys.dm_exec_requests and watches a backup, a restore and a DBCC check in a second window. It also covers STATS and the DBCC step name.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Max Degree of Parallelism for Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Max degree of parallelism controls how many cores one query can use, and the vendor guidance for Microsoft Dynamics CRM has been 1. This post measures what parallel plans cost on a heavy and a small query. It shows a database scoped limit and the instance wide statements.
SQL SERVER – Microsoft Azure – Unable to Find Higher Tier Series Virtual Machine to Upgrade
My client wanted to upsize an Azure VM running Always On from D-Series to a higher tier G-Series size, but it was missing from the list. Here is what I suggested.
Extract Decimal Part of a Number in SQL Server
To extract decimal part of a number in SQL Server, use ABS(value) % 1. This post compares four methods on positive and negative amounts and explains why the result is sometimes 0. It also covers float columns, digits as whole numbers and trailing zeros.
SQL SERVER – Scripts to Overview HADR / AlwaysOn Local Replica Server
SQL Server expert Dominic Wirth shares a script that gives a utilization overview of the local AlwaysOn replica server: database count and size, by role and group.
SQL SERVER – Rebuild Index Job Failed – Error: 9002 – The Transaction Log for Database ‘PinalDB’ is Full Due to ‘LOG_BACKUP’
A rebuild index job kept failing with error 9002: The transaction log for database ‘PinalDB’ is full due to ‘LOG_BACKUP’. Here is how I found the real cause.
Which is Optimal – TOP 0 OR WHERE 1 = 2? – Interview Question of the Week #190
Which is optimal, TOP 0 or WHERE 1 = 2? Many interview answers get this wrong, but they are both the same, and STATISTICS IO shows why.
SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.
In my Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check, you share your screen, I guide you, and we fix your biggest performance troublemakers. No passwords. No remote access.
You keep every script, and the know-how to fix it yourself next time.
Want your whole team to learn it?
My Practical Workshop has no PowerPoint, just live demos. My AI Enablement Workshop shows your team where AI saves hours, and where it quietly costs them.
Over 400 customers have worked with me this way, and not one shared a password. See all consulting options.
Who We Are
Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.
Pinal has authored 19 books and 125 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.
Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).
Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.
Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.

